Manila, Oct. 6 -- Lawmakers in Samar Island are pushing for the creation of a new region, a distinct administrative region, separate from Eastern Visayas, in the bid to unlock the island's growth and development.

The group, led by Minority Leader and 4Ps Partylist Rep. Marcelino Libanan, jointly filed House Bill (HB) No. 4218 as a move to widen access to services provided by national government agencies in Samar.

The other proponents are Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Samar 1st District Rep. Stephen James Tan, Samar 2nd District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Niko Raul Daza, and Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Edwin Marino Ongchuan.

"This is not just an administrative measure-...